Him and their stars.

Chapter 2008 This time, we're really going to storm the Heavenly Realm!
Looking at Ina, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, Yu Lian asked curiously, "Colonel Shirica, who else shares the same plans as you?"

“And this humble official,” said Horatio Wayne.

Compared to Ina, his expression was naturally heavy: "Sir, let me teach you something. We finally managed to penetrate deep into the heart of the Empire, but we had to give up and choose the safest way out. I am truly unwilling to accept this. We always end up having a strategic advantage, but we have to give it up because of the difference in strength. We can only ever make the 'good' choice. So, after accumulating a series of tactical victories, we have even lost Earth."

Haven't we, Teacher Yang and myself, accumulated the most tactical victories? Teacher Yang isn't here; isn't this a sarcastic remark directed at me?
If I were the type to be jealous of talent and ability, I would definitely think that way, right?

Yu Lian looked directly at Wayne, a smile playing on his lips: "Alright, Horatio, it seems you're the perfect person to say these kinds of things."

He made no attempt to hide his gratitude, leaving Wayne somewhat at a loss for words. He actually preferred the Yu Lian who liked to belittle and diss him.

Yu Lian told everyone, “Gentlemen, words like ‘good’ and ‘safe’ can be used anywhere, but they are not suitable for us. If we only want to be content with our own survival and use the new Shenzhou as our base, then that is indeed a viable option. We can close the door and live our own lives, develop our strength behind closed doors, just like the Great Khan Tomitelli of the Raiders. I believe that it won’t be long before the Alliance and even the Empire will recognize our status.”

For a moment, everyone was speechless, and many people even had their own selfish desires stirring within them. If this were truly the future, they actually wouldn't have any objections.

Indeed, the new Shenzhou was once a closed-off star sector, but after meticulous cultivation through various white swan events, it has inexplicably taken on the feel of a chosen "foundation of kings".

If the cat were to farm here, even if it couldn't regain its former status as the "third largest military power," it could at least become a regional hegemon like the Iron Army Alliance.

It's important to understand that the Palladians' territory is even smaller than the New Divine Continent, yet they still rank among the top three members of the Galactic Civilization Council. The reason the Empire can't do anything about them, besides the fact that these battle-hardened worms are indeed formidable, is simply because of their advantageous terrain.
Why is a new China impossible?

Yu Lian's voice carried a hint of sarcasm: "As for the more distant future, we can completely trust the wisdom of future generations. Perhaps, our descendants will be able to wait for another Victoria Lee a few hundred years from now to launch a movement to reclaim lost territory."

“If the tide is turned against us, even if you live for hundreds of years, there will never be a movement to reclaim lost territory,” Wayne said solemnly.

Is this guy implying that I'm better than Marshal Li? Yu Lian kept a straight face, but was inexplicably flattered.

"The Galactic Empire will never repeat their past mistakes. Not to mention hundreds of years, at most half a century, all of space, including Earth, will become their inseparable core territory," Wayne said.

Very good, this redhead is now able to analyze strategy from a higher, more strategic perspective. Of course, he always had this potential.

This man is a brave and renowned general, but he is not a reckless fool.

“At that time, the fertile lands of the New Divine Land will also become our prison, just like this fortress,” Wayne said.

Yu Lian clasped his hands together, obscuring half his face: "Then, we people will be trapped in cages, gradually decaying. Is this the future you see?"

“Then I would rather die. However, in the end, this is just my wild imagination.” He looked directly at Yu Lian, his eyes bright and even expectant:

"Your decision is required in all of this."

"When did you two become so in sync?" Fei Fei looked at Wayne in surprise. This was probably the first time she had ever really looked him over properly.

Of course, she couldn't discern any skill from her old classmate's face; it was all emotion.

“Very well, now there’s another opportunity.” Yu Lian stood up, looking down at the crowd, but his voice was as calm as if he were discussing dinner: “Remember what I said before the Battle of Seid began? Emperor Elither is destined for bloodshed. This is no joke. In any case, that bloodshed should be in my hands. Gentlemen, who is willing to accompany me on a journey to the Heavenly Realm?”

He always described the most turbulent situations in the calmest tone, but no matter what, his words still brought a low, somber silence to the room. However, that was all. Everyone was certainly astonished, but there was also a strange sense of relief, as if they had finally received the second piece of news.

Especially the members of the Silent Ship, who, while relieved, even became quite excited.

“You see, in the end, don’t we all arrive at the same destination by different paths?” Anne Romanova said.

“We have already crossed the outer ring of the Empire, and it’s time for them to move on to the densely populated inner ring of the starry sky,” Mia Walter said.

"This...this choice is a bit beyond my capabilities." Captain Nemo hesitated for a moment, but still clenched his fist and said, "In any case, glory belongs to the Commander!"

“Besides, we have allies,” Fifi concluded with a smile. Eleanor couldn’t help but ask, “Actually, when you were talking about that bloody disaster, you were already thinking about this… well, that crazy plan, right?”

Yu Lian nodded: "A plan with no chance of success can indeed only be described in this way. If it were just at that time, that would certainly be the case."

"So, will we be the first non-Imperial fleet to invade the Celestial Realm in history?"

Yu Lian's voice came from behind his fist clenched in front of his face: "We are definitely the most promising group."

“Ah, if we hadn’t made contact with you, we would all have been prepared to die somewhere in space within the Empire, just like the Bazan fleet. Even if we lost this war, we had to let the whole universe witness the indomitable spirit of Earthlings. But now, there is still a chance to win. Isn’t that lucky?” Her eyes hardened.

Even now, she still doesn't know how to advance into the Celestial Realm, how to bring bloodshed upon the emperor who has ruled half the universe for nearly two centuries, or how victory will be achieved. She has even realized that during the march, any warship and any person could very well become a pawn to be sacrificed.

But she wouldn't hesitate.

She and any of her comrades present would not hesitate.

Ina Hilica stretched and grinned, giving everyone an OK sign: "This is a sure way to die. We will be surrounded and intercepted by the swarming Imperial fleet, we will be bombarded to smithereens by the fortress in front of the Sky Domain, and we will be slapped into pancakes by the Emperor with cosmic-level psionic energy."

Although this young female strategist is just a filler, she has been fighting alongside the young veterans and has long since developed an above-average tactical acumen.

Yu Lian shrugged to indicate that he was calm. He had seen these kinds of scenes before.

“But there’s still a tiny chance of winning. Haha, so what are we waiting for?” She slammed her half-smoked cigar into the dish, still behaving like a typical delinquent girl who only went to a vocational school.

She is indeed a delinquent, but she is also a delinquent who could become the mouth double for the entire army.

Everyone immediately got up and busied themselves, their initiative was truly touching. At this moment, Feifei added, "Speaking of which, your old friend is really getting in the way. Even if we're leaving, we should clean the house first."

Yu Lian leaned back tactically: "You handle these matters. I need to focus my energy on diplomacy. Mr. Ai Meng, Mr. Tuken, shall we talk privately?"

Yu Lian's demeanor was far from composed. However, for his comrades who completely trusted him, the more relaxed he appeared, the more confident they would feel.

As for the two rebel leaders, they were both intelligent men. After a brief moment of doubt, they immediately understood the subtext of "diplomacy" and were immediately moved.

""

So, after a feast of dragon meat that had fully restored their morale and physical strength, the entire army launched a counterattack immediately after a short rest.

First, Fortress No. 1 rotated the bearing rails of its main cannon and launched two probing attacks on the building complex in orbit around Planet No. 5. Then, it directly fired more than 3000 sub-light-speed missiles.

In any case, the fortress's armory was well-stocked, and the Earthlings didn't mind indulging in a lavish spending spree. To them, bombarding the Imperial fleet with the Empire's military reserves did indeed feel like a dreamlike moment of double happiness.

Under heavy artillery fire, the Commonwealth fleet also launched an attack on this large cluster of space colonies gathered in orbit around Planet 5.

Needless to say, they were heading straight for the Imperial fleet hiding here.

To be honest, even at this point, the combined strength of Sobak and the Glory Gate fleet far surpassed that of Eleanor's fleet. However, once the Imperial soldiers observed that terrifying warship swaying beside Fortress No. 1, their courage would melt away like ice floes under the blazing sun.

By this time, the Imperial warships were still unable to complete the outline of the giant ship, only able to detect a faint yet chaotic gravitational source. However, the soldiers could still see its existence with their naked eyes, and could also see the bright flashes of light from the enemy's long-range cannon fire.

How can this be considered a ghost? It's clearly a demon king wielding a decapitation sword.

Its shadow alone, standing there, is enough to create the greatest pressure.

Thus, after a not-too-fierce probing exchange, the opposing Imperial fleets began to retreat, revealing their inability to resist.